We Designed this Kansas City Home Around a Waterfall for the Ultimate Backyard Feature

Some projects start with a blank slate. Others, like this one, start with a vision years in the making.

From the very first blueprint, this homeowner knew their backyard would have a waterfall—not just as a feature, but as a defining part of the home itself. Every major living space was designed to frame a perfect view of cascading water, turning the backyard into a living piece of art that could be enjoyed from every room.

With that vision in mind, we set out to build a pondless waterfall that seamlessly integrates into the patio and landscaping, maximizing impact in a relatively small space while delivering big, dynamic movement and sound.

Now, whether relaxing on the patio, waking up in the bedroom, or working out in the gym, the water is always in view, always in motion, and always a part of the home.

Project Highlights

Designing a Home Around a Waterfall

Unlike most projects where a homeowner decides to add a water feature, this one was built into the architecture of the home itself. The homeowner worked closely with their architect to ensure that every major window at the back of the house framed a clear, direct view of the waterfall.

• From the bedroom: At night, the windows stay open to let the sound of flowing water fill the room.
• From the gym: The treadmill faces the waterfall, making workouts feel more immersive.
• From the main living area: view the waterfall gracefully wrapping around the space.

Rather than being tucked away in a corner of the yard, the waterfall was designed to be fully integrated—a natural, flowing extension of the home itself.

Crafting a Waterfall That Looks & Feels Natural

The challenge was clear: Create a bold, high-impact waterfall that feels like it has always been there.

Material Selection & Natural Flow

- We carefully chose a mix of weathered limestone and rolite boulders—a blend of natural tones that mimic the appearance of real rock formations.

- The water had to feel natural, not forced, so we took extra time to sculpt the stream paths and test multiple flow patterns.

Perfecting the Split Waterfall Drop

One of the standout features is a split waterfall drop that took seven tries to get just right.
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Added a horsetail-style cascade, where water flows smoothly in multiple directions while creating an organic, layered effect.

After carefully adjusting rock positioning, water volume, and angles, we landed on the perfect formation—one that’s both visually captivating and acoustically rich.

A Waterfall That Works With the Space

This backyard wasn’t large, which meant we had to maximize every inch while keeping the waterfall functional, beautiful, and immersive.

Blending Into the Patio & Hardscape

• flows naturally into the patio area for an interactive space rather than just a visual feature
• boulder retaining wall helps transition from the hardscape to the waterfall

Managing Water Flow & Runoff

• With heavy rainfall, the homeowners wanted to avoid standing water issues or flooding near the foundation.
• We tied the home’s downspouts into the reservoir, so excess water is naturally absorbed into the system.
• A dry creek overflow system was also installed, allowing the feature to manage itself during storms.

Seeing It All Come Together

The true magic of this project wasn’t just in the design or construction—it was in seeing the homeowner’s vision fully realized.

By the time the water was turned on, it felt like the home was complete. The lighting illuminated every stream at night, the sound created an immediate sense of peace, and the homeowners knew they had something truly special.

“At night, we sleep with the windows open just to hear the water. It’s the perfect background sound for everything we do here.”

This wasn’t just about building a waterfall—it was about creating an experience that would enhance their everyday life.